What difference does the color make? Is it against the law or just personal preference?

My understanding is that you can't legally have the other colors. You have probably noticed that all the semi trucks with tons of lights have amber lights on the sides and such as "clearance" lights, and of course Red towards the rear.

I don't have the law references handy, but that's why I did mind with a switch, because I don't want cops getting annoyed with me.

09-26-2013, 03:34 PM

zabooda

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikenehrkorn

Or just forgo the switch all together and have them on all the time that the running lights are on......it would look like those 18-wheelers that you see going down the highway that are lit up like a Xmas tree!! :)

Illegal is Washington State and they do bust.

WAC 204-21-230

Blue lights are prohibited on any vehicle other than a law enforcement vehicle as defined in WAC 204-21-010.

09-26-2013, 04:03 PM

trayson

Quote:

Originally Posted by zabooda

Illegal is Washington State and they do bust.

WAC 204-21-230

Blue lights are prohibited on any vehicle other than a law enforcement vehicle as defined in WAC 204-21-010.

There you go. That's where I live.

I hope they don't have a similar law for boats on the water.

09-26-2013, 04:07 PM

mikenehrkorn

All I can find for IL is that the lights cannot be "oscillating, rotating or flashing"

09-26-2013, 04:19 PM

trayson

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikenehrkorn

All I can find for IL is that the lights cannot be "oscillating, rotating or flashing"

An operator or owner who endangers a vessel, or the persons on board the vessel, by showing, masking, extinguishing, altering, or removing any light or signal or by exhibiting any false light or signal, is guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable as provided in RCW 9.92.030.

09-26-2013, 06:46 PM

zabooda

Same here with CG requirements. Flashing blue is for law enforcement but no mention of steady blue. Green, red and white LEDs would have an issue since they are the navigation light colors and would easily make for a dangerous situation on the water.

33 CFR 88.11 - Law enforcement vessels.

Law enforcement vessels may display a flashing blue light when engaged in direct law enforcement or public safety activities. This light must be located so that it does not interfere with the visibility of the vessel's navigation lights.

(b) The blue light described in this section may be displayed by law enforcement vessels of the United States and the States and their political subdivisions.

09-26-2013, 07:52 PM

MLA

white is a 360* light and should never be a problem. If white is seen, its assumed that the boat is at anchor or you are at its stern.

09-26-2013, 11:47 PM

bergermaister

I've run lit up like a blue UFO pretty much every time we're on the water at night and never had an issue - sadly that's only maybe 6-7 times a season. But I don't have anything lit up on the tower.

The blue glow doesn't attract the po po around here much but apparently works well with drug smuggling divers.

09-27-2013, 01:29 AM

trayson

Quote:

Originally Posted by bergermaister

I've run lit up like a blue UFO pretty much every time we're on the water at night and never had an issue - sadly that's only maybe 6-7 times a season. But I don't have anything lit up on the tower.

The blue glow doesn't attract the po po around here much but apparently works well with drug smuggling divers.

Let's see, my boat is black and white. And has Blue LED's around the outside of the tower speakers... I am sure the divers wouldn't like me!

09-27-2013, 08:04 AM

mikenehrkorn

Quote:

Originally Posted by bergermaister

I've run lit up like a blue UFO pretty much every time we're on the water at night and never had an issue - sadly that's only maybe 6-7 times a season. But I don't have anything lit up on the tower.

The blue glow doesn't attract the po po around here much but apparently works well with drug smuggling divers.

Yeah, I don't think I would have any issues on the water, I was more referring to the glow on the trailer heading down the highway possibly being a problem.